Photo of House on A Winters Day with Tree Outside

Cold weather can damage your house. Here is what you can do

The cold weather can damage your house, and the best way to avoid expensive repairs is knowing what the problem could be and preventing it.

It's the season for foggy mornings, snowy hills and cosy nights with a cup of hot cocoa in hand. But as beautiful and romantic it can be, the cold weather can damage your house as well. Without realising it, all this snow, rain and frost are not forgiving your house, and might slowly be taking their toll on it.

Although the cold weather can damage your house, there are ways to minimise and prevent the damage. Of course, it all starts with knowing what to expect, and preparing your weapons for the battle with Jack Frost.

Here is how the cold weather can impact your house:

Blocked sump pump

If you have a sump pump in the house, make sure that the you insulate your discharge line and intake section to prevent them from freezing. Below zero temperatures can cause blockage in the pipe and push water back into your house, causing unpleasant leaks, mould and mildew.

Mould growth

The colder it gets the more we try to close our house off to prevent the heat escaping. But this means all the warm, moist weather remains trapped inside, which can quickly make mould grow. Make sure to regularly air your home, and even better - invest in a dehumidifier.

Clogged gutters

Perhaps one of the most common ways cold weather can damage your house. When the wind blows leaves into the gutters, and if they're not regularly cleaned, they can get clogged, leaking water into your home, flooding the basement or even cracking foundations.

Frozen pipes

A true winter classic, frozen pipes are one of the most unpleasant, yet common winter issues with your home. If water freezes into the pipes it can cause them to burst, which can be extremely costly to repair. Read how to prevent pipes from freezing here , or check our Plumbing and Drainage home maintenance plans , for extra peace of mind over the winter.

Boiler breakdowns

A sudden overnight cold spell can cause your condensate pipes to freeze, damaging your boiler, and cutting off the heating and hot water. Make sure your condensate pipes are always insulated, and choose a Boiler Cover , to ensure you're protected when it comes to breakdowns in the winter.

And just to be on the safe side, why not save Rightio's number just in case you need an emergency engineer out in no time?